The mass of the car is 1500 kg. The shape of the body is such that its aerodynamic drag coefficient is $C_D=0.330$ and the frontal area is $2.50 m^2$. Assuming that the drag force is proportional to $v^2$ and neglecting other sources of friction, calculate the power required to maintain a speed of $100 km/h$ as the car climbs a long hill sloping is $3.20^\circ$.
Use the formula:
$$
F_D=\frac{1}{2}C_D\rho_{air}Av^2
$$
where $\rho_{air}=1.2kg/m^3$

I don't know how to incorporate power into the formula. I get that $F_d$ is proportional to $v^2$ so am I able to cancel them out?

2 Answers
2

Power is defined as $P = F \cdot v$ where $F$ is the driving force and $v$ is the velocity of the moving object. In this case, determine the values of both $F$ and $v$, and use this to calculate the power.

How do i solve for the force exactly? Do i substitute v^2 for Fd?
–
TimApr 10 '14 at 18:04

Not quite. You've provided the equation for force above ($F_D = \frac{1}{2} C_D \rho_{air} A v^2$), and you have the values of each of those variables, so you can use that equation to find the force.
–
DraksisApr 10 '14 at 18:06